Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo: Air Canada Yesterday, January 28, 2026, Air Canada announced a strategic expansion of its winter flight network for the 2026-27 season, including a new destination for the first time in Ecuador, a significant strengthening of routes to Europe throughout the year, expansion of operations to South America, and the renewal of routes from Calgary to vacation destinations in Mexico.
As part of the move, the airline will launch new flights to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, from Montreal three times a week and from Toronto once a week, starting in December 2026. The flights will be operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft and will offer Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy options.
The routes are designed to provide convenient connectivity through the airline’s hubs in Toronto and Montreal to North America and Europe.
Manchester, England. Photo: Air CanadaIn addition, Air Canada will convert its Toronto-Manchester and Copenhagen routes to year-round flights, starting in October 2026. The routes will be operated on the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which will feature Signature Class seats with flat beds for the first time on the airline’s narrow-body aircraft. The move is supported by the establishment of a new A321XLR base at Toronto Pearson Airport, in addition to the already announced base in Montreal.
In South America, the company will expand winter operations to Brazil, Peru and Chile, with earlier opening dates and increased flight frequencies to Rio de Janeiro, Lima and Santiago. The Montreal-Bogotá route will also be expanded and operated on Dreamliner aircraft in a three-class configuration.
At the same time, Air Canada will return winter routes from Calgary to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta starting in December 2026. The flights will be operated by Air Canada Rouge on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and will include premium and economy classes.
Cancun, Mexico. Photo: Air CanadaMark Galardo, Air Canada’s EVP and CCO and President of Cargo, said:
“With a comprehensive network spanning all six inhabited continents, Air Canada’s expanded winter schedule further cements our hubs as premier global gateways facilitating fast, convenient travel. These exciting new additions and enhancements are a catalyst to facilitating tourism, trade and connectivity, and deliver more compelling opportunities for our customers and Aeroplan Members to travel almost anywhere in the world to, from or via Canada,"
"We are continuing our strategic expansion into Latin America, taking advantage of continued demand strength and cargo opportunities, while leveraging a new Airbus A321 XLR base at our Toronto-Pearson global hub to enable year-round service to Copenhagen and Manchester. We are also capitalizing on growing demand and Vancouver’s unique geography to add our first-ever service to Sapporo, the only non-stop from North America to this world-recognized winter leisure destination, while bringing two new options for our brand loyal customers in Calgary seeking out the warmth of Mexico’s beaches."
Air Canada plane. Photo: Shutterstock